

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said his country will suspend all tariffs for US products after that country’s President Donald Trump shocked the world by starting a Trade War against pretty much every country.
Zimbabwe was slapped with an 18% tariff.
In a statement, Mnangagwa decreed;
In the spirit of constructing a mutually beneficial and positive relationship with the United States of America, under the leadership of President Trump, I will direct the Zimbabwean government to implement a suspension of all tariffs levied on goods originating from the United States. This measure is intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market, while simultaneously promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined for the United States. This action underscores our commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Mnangagwa claims this is in line with his administration’s line of ‘fostering amicable relations with all nations, and cultivating adversarial relationships with none.’
It is not sure how this will work, because Israel suspended its tariffs with the US and yet Trump slapped them with tariffs – 17% to be specific.
In effect every country has a baseline tariff of 10% which means suspension of tariff will mean nothing.
This will send shockwaves to the local manufacturing industries who have already had a difficult time dealing with products from South Africa.
International lawyer, Petina Gappah called the move a shame, saying on her X account.
“This is such a shame. Zim imposes 40% tax on books, violating obligations under the Florence Agreement. Zim has not even gazetted its AfCFTA tariffs and Zim consistently flouts the SADC Trade Protocol. But Zim now offers duty free access to US products!”
Gappah worked on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as Principal Legal Advisor in the Office of the Secretary-General.
Meanwhile, Trump’s move has caused market crashes and widespread protests in the US.
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